Mayo fall short against defending champions

Sun, May 17, 2015

Mayo’s interest in this years Christy Ring Cup came to an end in James Stephens Park on Saturday afternoon, when a storming Kildare second half performance saw the Lilywhites turn around a nine point deficit into a comfortable five point win.

Freewheeling Mayo claim junior crown

Sun, May 17, 2015

The Mayo juniors picked up what the county will hope is the first of a few Connacht titles this year in style in Sunday in Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada against Galway. Sean McLoughlin’s side edged out Galway in a free flowing contest that saw both sides play open and attractive attacking football. Killala’s Andrew Farrell struck the all important goal 18 minutes into the first half when he finished from close range after Belmullet’s Eoin O’Donoghue went on a ranging run through the heart of the Galway defence. The wing backs strike for goal came back off the underside of the crossbar into the waiting arms of Farrell who made no mistake when the chance presented itself. Mayo had to deal with the loss of their captain Cathal Freeman who wasn’t able to make the game after picking up an injury in a club game last weekend, but that loss didn’t phase them.

Coen's charges face tough task against the champions

Fri, May 15, 2015

There couldn't be a much tougher task for JP Coen's Mayo senior hurlers if they are to have any interest in championship hurling beyond the middle of May tomorrow. James Stephens Park in Ballina will be the venue for the meeting of Coen's side and last year's Christy Ring Cup champions, Kildare, in the winner takes all round 2b clash. Mayo lost out to Derry in Owenbeg a fortnight ago by two points, while Kildare were finally defeated by London in a replay in St Conleth's Park in Newbridge last weekend. Both sides finished level after extra time in the Emerald Grounds in Ruislip the week before, when Mayo were going down to Derry.

Club players have it tough enough to make plans without late changes

Fri, May 15, 2015

As a meticulous planner who maps out my summer so as there is no collision between family events, birthdays, nights out, holidays, etc, and football matches I was shocked to hear that the first round of the Mayo club championship was put back a week, 11 days before it was due to take place.

I know an unlikely chain of events occurred to require a postponement but this should have been thought of when the fixtures were drawn up. I can guarantee that quite a few club footballers have been badly put out and had alternative plans for the new dates set. Without doing much research I know that five Charlestown players had to cancel a planned break for the weekend that the games have been re-fixed for, and one Hollymount player has to loose a day from his planned foreign holiday and rebook a flight at a significant cost. A Tourmakeady player who also planned a holiday around the original fixtures is lucky that he is not in a predicament to make a decision as he is injured and ruled out for his club's game so he is free to go on his trip, otherwise a cancellation at a significant cost to the club would have ensued. I am sure there are plenty more in the same predicament. It is time to treat our club players with a little respect and set in stone the days that matches will take place so they can plan life around football. It surely cannot be that difficult.

Juniors look to take down the Tribesmen

Fri, May 15, 2015

The Mayo junior footballers will go looking to claim the first provincial title of the year for the county on Sunday lunchtime when they face off against Galway in the Connacht Junior Football Championship final in Carrick-on-Shannon. Seán McLoughlin's men booked their place in the provincial final last weekend thanks to a 2-10 to 1-10 win over the defending champions Sligo in James Stephens Park in Ballina. Sunday's game will be the curtain raiser to the senior championship meeting between Leitrim and Galway, the winners of which will face Mayo in the senior semi-final in five weeks time.

Divisional cups kick-off this weekend

Fri, May 15, 2015

After the first four rounds of action across the different divisions in the Mayo League wrapped up last weekend the attention for all concerned turns towards the divisional cups this weekend with a full round of action in the Westaro, Tonra, Tuohy, and McDonnell cups. In the top division cup the meeting of Castlebar Celtic and Westport United pits the traditional big two together for the first time this season (Charity Shield aside).

United who won everything on offer last season, have bounced back from their opening round defeat to Ballina Town to pick up three wins on the bounce since. Last weekend they saw off Manulla 4-1 in the Sportspark with Phil Keegan grabbing a brace and Dave Hoban and Darren Browne chipping in with one each. Celtic's local derby against Ballyheane was called off due to a waterlogged pitch last weekend. The Hoops have had a disjointed start to the season, losing on the opening day to the surprise outfit Ballyglass at home, before putting seven past Straide and Foxford United and then going down to Ballina Town at home. Along the way they also lost the services of manager Stevie Gavin who stepped down after their solitary win. The champions also have a new man in charge this season in the shape of John Brennan, and have found their feet again quickly after their opening day defeat and will be deserved favourites to taken the win on Sunday.

Youngsters show great talent at skills competition

Fri, May 08, 2015

The Mayo GAA Hurling Skills competitions were held in Tooreen recently, with the Feile U14 Skillstar, the U12 skills team challenge and the U10 individual skills competition titles up for grabs.

FAI Kickstart 2 Course at Kiltimagh

Fri, May 08, 2015

The Football Association of Ireland are holding a Kick Start 2 Coach Education Course in Kiltimagh/Knock FC on Sat May 16 and Sunday May 17

The course shall run from from 9.00am to 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Participants must attend all modules of the course in order to qualify for certification. Course fee is €75. This course is limited to 24 participants so book early to avoid disappointment.

Castlebar community Games finals

Fri, May 08, 2015

The Castlebar area Community Games Athletic Finals wlll take place on Wednesday May 13 at St Mary’s track at GMIT, Castlebar.

All children must register between 5.30pm and 6pm. The entry fee is two euro per child. The first race begins at 6pm with a toddlers race for boys and girls under six.

Connacht’s Euro qualification on the line in Italy

Fri, May 08, 2015

Connacht know anything but a win against Zebre on Saturday evening (5.30pm) will end their season.

Casey’s Call

Fri, May 08, 2015

And so it begins. The Football championship got underway last weekend as New York became the first team out of the Championship. I know they say as you get older time goes that little bit faster but still it’s extremely hard to get my head around that it’s over a year since Mayo played in New York. It was Galway’s turn this year and as expected they had little trouble in eliminating the emigrants from the Connacht Championship.

I was following the game on Twitter and have to say I got a false dawn when New York went two points up early on. Galway’s 16 point win just covered the handicap offered by the bookmakers which was set at -14. I fancied them to win by at least that margin and I also expect Roscommon to dispose of London by at least the seven points offered as the handicap bet. Damien Comer and Shane Walsh were the stars for Galway in Gaelic Park.

Gruelling RÁS challenge has two Mayo stages this year

Fri, May 01, 2015

There are less than three weeks to go until the 2015 An Post Rás kicks off with a plethora of international teams competing, and the added excitement of two Mayo stages.

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